The White House has accused Israel of a betrayal of trust, in an unusually sharp rebuke over its plans to build hundreds of new settlement homes deep in the West Bank. While serious talks seem unlikely, US officials are weighing the possibility of a major speech outlining the parameters for peace. Washington has long opposed Israel’s policy of building Jewish settlements on land in the West Bank that would be claimed by the Palestinians in any negotiated “two state” peace deal. The White House was apoplectic when the Israeli leader agreed to address the Republican-controlled Congress to lobby against Obama’s signature nuclear deal with Iran. At last week’s funeral for former president Shimon Peres, Obama pointedly spoke about the “unfinished business of peace”.

Source: The Guardian October 05, 2016 22:52 UTC